Living with Asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder among children and teens, currently affecting an estimated 6.2 million people under the age of 18. Millions of adults also suffer from the disease. An asthma episode is characterized by difficulty in breathing, due to inflammation of the airway, increased mucus secretion, and tightening of the airway muscle-all of which may be triggered by allergens, irritants, stress, exercise, or other factors. With medication and preventive measures, asthma can be successfully treated and managed.

Living with Asthma examines this illness and provides teens with the information they need to understand it. The book addresses how to recognize asthma, obtain a diagnosis, recover from the condition, pay for care, and how to help yourself, friends, or family members who may have asthma. Lists of suggested reading and resources guide readers' further research. This accessible book is the ideal one-stop guide for those living with asthma, whether in themselves or a loved one.

About the Author:
William E. Berger, M.D., is founder and medical director of the Southern California Research Center, Allergy and Asthma Associates of Southern California, and a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, at the University of California in Irvine